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Schools

School Field Trip Procedures, Georgia Trip Approved

The procedures detail how field trips will be administered; the Georgia trip for Melrose High sophomores will focus on the Civil War.

The Melrose School Committee approved a set of field trip procedures at its meeting Tuesday night that outline how the Superintendent of Schools should administrate field trips in the district.

At the same meeting, the School Committee approved a field trip to Georgia for 10th grade students during April vacation, after a presentation by history teacher Rachel Williams, who grew up in Atlanta.

The field trip procedures have undergone slight revisions over the past two meetings, with advisement of counsel.

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The procedures outline how the superintendent approves and denies field trips, cancels trips under certain circumstances, and handles discipline of students and staff.

Committee member J.D. LaRock, who was not present, had a letter read into the record by committee member Carrie Kourkoumelis.

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LaRock said in his letter that he is concerned about the language being clear in permission waivers to be signed by parents.

Casey said he would incorporate LaRock's concerns into the final letter. He said the counsel had examined the letter for liability language.

A motion to approve the field trip procedures passed four to one, with LaRock absent and Kourkoumelis voting against.

Georgia field trip focuses on Civil War

The Georgia trip will take place over four days to Atlanta, Savannah, and Macon, Georgia, with visits to the Cyclorama in Atlanta and Civil War sites to learn about Sherman's march to the sea and life on a plantation.

Williams answered questions about transportation—students will have the option to take a 15-hour bus ride or fly—and the motivation of her trip.

It was Williams' background as a Georgia native that convinced the committee that this would be a culturally enriching activity for students.

"I've always wanted to help students explore history outside of the classroom and outside of Massachusetts," Williams told the committee. 

She said she has been talking to her students about her home state since arriving at Melrose High School two years ago, and there are a number of enthusiastic students who want to go.

Superintendent Joe Casey said he was fully supportive of the trip.

"She's more than done her homework," Casey said. "I think Melrose is ready for this."

School committee member Kristin Thorp said the trip is different from most the committee approves because it involves 10th graders, but said she was satisfied that the trip would be an addition and not a replacement for part of the regular curriculum.

Committee member Christine Casatelli said the fact that Williams is from Atlanta and has a lot of "pride" in her heritage changed her mind about the trip.

"To know you are from this area changes my whole perspective," Casatelli said.

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